Hilliard · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hilliard public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Grant program criteria and accountability
Council wrestled with fuzzy rules all afternoon — whether salaries can be funded, how to verify Hilliard residents benefit, and whether repeat applicants become too reliant. Next year's applications will need line-item budgets and resident-service numbers.
Senior Van Program Eligibility
Home and Hilliard helps seniors age in place but charges $300 memberships some seniors can't afford. Council funded $35,000 and required at least ten scholarships, while noting only 85 service requests were made last year.
Youth sports background checks
The Recreation and Parks Commission reviewed the city's background-check policy for volunteer coaches in leagues like HOSA and Optimist, including regular audits — legislation could come to council soon.
Tax levy certification deadline
Council had to pass the annual tax levy certification ordinance tonight or miss the county's October 31 deadline, so they suspended the normal two-reading process and passed it 7-0 the same night.
Recycling changes: orange bags discontinued
Because demand is too low, the orange recycling bags the city has been promoting will no longer be collected starting at the end of February 2027.
Old Hilliard water line replacement
The city is hiring Burgess & Niple for five years to design replacements for aging pre-1960s cast-iron water lines in Old Hilliard — $117,000 this year for Wayne Street, Main Street alleys, and Norwich Street work that goes to construction next year.
Stop-loss insurance renewal
The city's annual stop-loss insurance renewal with Anthem comes in at a 3% increase, capped at $941,000, after two years of minimal or zero increases.
Street sweeper replacement
The city is replacing a 2017 skid loader and an aging chipper (one has been out of service for two months, forcing rentals). The old chipper will be kept as a backup.
Cancelling the Purdy Bull CRA tax incentive agreement
A tax incentive agreement is being cancelled because the business was sold to a national chain that won't meet job requirements.
Employee Compensation Study Implementation
The city's first comp study in over five years recommends tightening pay bands, raising range maximums 5%, and restructuring positions — including adding a public service operations manager and an economic development administrator.
Sustainability coordinator position
A proposed new position (roughly $100,000 with benefits, salary $68,000–$90,000) sparked debate over whether it should be a coordinator or a leadership role advancing initiatives like solar power. City Manager Rauch said the job description isn't finalized.
Gasoline tax holiday impact
Council Member Vermillion asked about the state gas tax holiday — so far no effect on Hilliard, but it will likely hit the General Fund and street maintenance funding down the road.
Hilliard Recovery Court funding
The Law Department is requesting a $169,800 transfer from the General Fund to keep the Recovery Court program running in 2027.